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Maybin lands on DL as Angels' injuries pile up

By
Kaelen JonesMLB.com

ANAHEIM -- The Angels placed outfielder Cameron Maybin on the 10-day disabled list with a left oblique contusion on Thursday.

According to manager Mike Scioscia, Maybin sustained the injury while diving for a fly ball in left-center field against the Braves on Monday, causing him to feel a bit of pain in his left side. He has not appeared since then, so the move is backdated to Tuesday.

ANAHEIM -- The Angels placed outfielder Cameron Maybin on the 10-day disabled list with a left oblique contusion on Thursday.

According to manager Mike Scioscia, Maybin sustained the injury while diving for a fly ball in left-center field against the Braves on Monday, causing him to feel a bit of pain in his left side. He has not appeared since then, so the move is backdated to Tuesday.

Scioscia said Maybin went through "some tests, came back and said there's no major damage, but [his side is] bruised, it's sore, it's weak, [and] it affects him when he swings."

He added that Maybin should be ready in five to seven days, and anticipates the 30-year-old will be ready by the time the Angels begin a three-game road series against Houston on June 9.

"Right now, it's better just to err on the side of caution and just give him all the time he needs," Scioscia said. "He keeps getting better every day, but if he were to try and push it right now, we would be at risk at losing him for an extended period of time."

Maybin participated in batting practice prior to Thursday's series opener against Minnesota, and Scioscia confirmed his performance during warmups served as the determining factor in placing him on the DL.

Maybin was third in the Major Leagues in stolen bases (10) and walk percentage (18.9) while raising his batting percentage 36 points (.242) during May. He's made three appearances in center field since Mike Trout was placed on the DL with a torn UCL in his left thumb.

Starting center-field duties will now likely fall to Shane Robinson.

Escobar, Meyer reinstated; Morin optioned

Los Angeles reinstated third baseman Yunel Escobar and starting pitcher Alex Meyer from the DL in time for both players to start Thursday's series opener against the Twins. Right-handed pitcher Mike Morin was option to Triple-A Salt Lake in a corresponding move.

Los Angeles placed Escobar on the 10-day disabled list May 14 after he suffered a Grade 1 left hamstring strain against Detroit. Meyer hit the DL with back spasms on May 24, causing him to miss his start against Tampa Bay.

Escobar was slated to bat cleanup behind first baseman Albert Pujols on Thursday, something Scioscia said he planned on implementing before.

"[One of our plans] was to put Yuni somewhere in the middle behind Albert to put him in a good situation to drive in runs," Scioscia said. "We've had to adjust off that a little bit, but we still think it's a good spot for him."

Escobar entered Thursday hitting .266 with five home runs and 17 RBIs in 38 games.

Meyer, making his sixth start of the season, was 2-2 with a 5.79 ERA entering Thursday.

"He threw a power bullpen and felt great," Scioscia said. "We'll monitor him, but we don't have [plans to restrict his usage] in place right now."

Street set back

• The Angels announced Thursday night that right-handed reliever Huston Street returned from his rehab assignment early because of right triceps tightness.

Street began a rehab assignment with Salt Lake on May 24. He was previously expected to pitch in a game with Class A Advanced Inland Empire on Thursday or Friday before potentially joining the Angels' bullpen this weekend. Instead, he's considered day to day.

Thursday marked the first day Street, who began the season on the 60-day DL, was eligible for activation.